DE1816973A1 - Flexible tube assembly, particularly for use in an endoscope - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ADVOCATE DR. GERHARD SCHAEFER DIPLOMPHYSICIST

8023 Munich -Pullach Seitnerstrasse 13 Telephone 7 93 09 01

P 185

OLXMPIiS OPTICAL COMPANY LIMITED ^ _"t 2 Hatagaya 2-chome SMbuya-ku T α ky ο

Flexible tube arrangement, especially for use in a fine endoscope

Invention meets a flexible pipe arrangement * in

for use in an end cap, consisting of a number of thin-walled cylindrical segments about the same Diameter «where the end edges are beveled are that there is at least one protruding part * and which are arranged one behind the other in Heihe.

In endascopes it is known to be “elongated, flexible

Use pipe to connect a front end part to a control housing from which the front end part can be operated. The front end portion is formed to be inserted into a cavity of a living body or Like. Can be introduced. It is equipped with a lens with which the image of the object to be observed is directed to the front end face of an optical image transmission system, for example a fiber optic system, which through the elongated flexible tube from the front End part extends to the control housing. Pass through the optisehe The image transmitted to the rear end face of the transmission system is viewed through an eyepiece provided in the control housing. In addition, an optical lighting system is provided, which is also due to the flexible Tube extends with which the object from the front end part can be illuminated from.

In such an endoscope is between the front end portion and the front end of the elongated flexible Tube a flexible tube section is provided. In diametrical two control cables extend through the opposite position the flexible pipe section and the elongated flexible Tube. The front ends of these control cables are connected to the front end part connected, while the rear ends with

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• Inta control mechanism Connected in the control housing. The control cables can be operated manually via the control unit are operated and control the bending of the flexible pipe section to facilitate observation of an object.

In order to be able to observe the object properly, the lungs must of the flexible pipe section should be made as short as possible. The inside diameter of this flexible tube sucker

must be as large as possible to allow enough space for the optical image transmission system, the optical lighting system and for tubes for the introduction of tweezers and the like, which support the observation of the object. Since the outer Durohimeter of the anterior end part of the endoacope, the flexible one Pipe section and the elongated flexible tube are extremely limited so that these elements can easily be inserted into the Living body cavity or the like can be inserted without opening the passage leading to the cavity injure or cause pain, the wall thickness of the flexible pipe section must be as thin as possible.

For this purpose it is known to use the flexible pipe section build so that one of two cylindrical segments that form the flexible pipe section, at its end edge provided with two oppositely arranged bars,

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which are connected to the opposite end edge of the other of the two cylindrical segments, the Bars are rotatably connected to the opposite end edge of the other segment by pivot bolts attached to them. Because the pivot pin in the radial direction of the segment must be of considerable length in order to properly guide the web, the internal diameter of the segment must be compared must necessarily be reduced to the outer diameter. This outer durometer is in turn limited by that the segments must be inserted into the cavity of a living body. This means that the available in segments

bare space to accommodate the aforementioned, various Elements greatly reduced.

The invention is based on the object of reporting the disadvantages described above and a flexible pipe arrangement Especially for endoscopes that are easy to assemble and is reliable in operation.

This problem is solved by the protruding part 1st fork-shaped, with one leg of the fork radially outwards and the other leg radially outwards is cranked on the inside so that the legs of one segment rest against the outer or inner surface of the adjacent segment.

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It is of particular advantage that the pipe arrangement according to the invention does not have any articulation means or pivot bolts for the Rotary movement is required, creating a large space for the installation of the aforementioned various elements inside the Segments is created.

The flexible tube assembly of the present invention can be bent as desired as a result of the rotational movement between adjacent segments whose forks interlock. The wall thickness of the segments is kept to a minimum, since no additional articulation means or pivot bolts have to be provided, this means that one remains in the segments Maximum space available for arranging different types of elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each Segment on each edge provided with two diametrically opposed OabeIn and the forks of the segments fluoh- j ten with each other. The forks of adjacent segments are in engagement with one another and retaining means are provided which prevent the individual segments from diverging. A soft flexible tube can be provided as the holding means, which closely surrounds the flexible tube assembly. The holding means may further comprise two flexible, inextensible cables extending axially along the forks of the in-line Extending segments and which are preferably attached to the two end segments.

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Bel the inventive pipe arrangement there are control cables 1 which extend axially on diametrically opposite sides of the flexible pipe arrangement and the connecting line of which runs at right angles to that of the forks, with one end of the control cable being fastened at a point which is close to one of the segments while the other end of the control cable extends beyond the other end segment so that it can be operated from outside the flexible tube assembly.

In the pipe arrangement according to the invention, means are also provided which prevent the flexible, but not expandable cable with respect to the segments are displaceable on the circumference. These means can be designed as Preflsohnitt depressions, which are located in the wall of each Segments are located and have openings on the Preßschnittkanten through which the cables pass. In a practically implemented embodiment, the cables used as additional holding means are recessed through these depressions passed through. The means of preventing the shift the cables can also consist of axially extending embossed grooves formed by indenting the wall of each of the Segments are formed. In a practical exemplary embodiment, the control cables are routed in such channels.

The flexible tube assembly of the present invention

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1616973

can be controlled in its curvature by alternatives Operate the control cables from outside the flexible tube assembly.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be found in the in The exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing can be taken from »They show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an endoscope showing the flexible Comprises tube assembly according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section along the axis of a preferred one Embodiment of a flexible tube assembly according to the present inventionj

Fig. 3 shows a cross section along the line III-III in Fig. 2j

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the details the fork of the thin-walled cylindrical segment & @ r flexible tube arrangement and the manner in which the qfibulae of adjacent segments fit together Are connected in order to enable a rotational movement against each other.

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As shown in Fig. 1, the flexible tube assembly is 1 according to the present invention between the rear end of the front end part 2 of an endoscope and the front end the elongated tube j5, which is preferably flexible, arranged. The rear end of the elongated tube j5 is connected to the control housing 4 by a handle part 5. The front end part 2 is provided with an observation window β

£ and a lighting window 7. The light that exits through the illumination window 7 and illuminates the object to be observed, the elongated tube becomes duroh to the front end part 2 by an optical light guide system, for example a fiber optic system, which extends through the elongated tube 3, passed. It comes from a (not drawn) light source or es is generated in the front end part 2 by a lamp arranged therein, which is powered by an electrical power source (not shown) powered by lead wires that

W extend through the elongated tube .5. The light from the object enters through the observation window 6 and is incident on an objective lens in the front end part 2 with the aid of a reflective optical system such as a prism, which is also provided in the front end part optical image transmission system, for example a glass fiber system, which extends through the elongated tube 3 to the SteuergthKuse 4, focused.

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The image of the object that is on the far end of the optical The image transmission system can be viewed through an eyepiece 9, which is arranged in the control housing 4 is.

As will be described in detail below, the flexible tube assembly 1 according to the present invention is controlled in its bending by two control cables 7a and Tb * which extend on diametrically opposite sides through the elongate tube>. The front end of each of the control cables 7a, 7b is fixedly connected at 7a and 7b to the rear end of the front end part 2, while the rear end of each control cable 7 & or 7b is connected to a control mechanism in the control housing 4, which is controlled by a button 8 , which is provided in the control housing 4, can be operated manually. When the control cable 7a is pulled in the direction of the arrow χ by operating the button 8, the flexible tube assembly 1 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow a, while it is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow b, if the control cable 7b is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow χ.

Di «Figures 2 to 4 show in detail the construction of a preferred embodiment of a flexible pipe arrangement 1 according to the present invention. It includes a lot of

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thin-walled cylindrical segments 10 and 10 '″ which have essentially the same structure and size and which are arranged in series one behind the other. As shown, each of the opposite two end edges is each segment beveled from two opposite points on each end edge to form two diametrically opposed raised portions. As shown, the opposite raised portions of an edge are aligned each segment 10 is axially aligned with those of the opposite end edge of the adjacent segment 10. The outermost end edge of each of the two outermost segments 10 'is, however, cut flat in the direction normal to the axis of the segment 10', to the connection with the rear end of the front end part 2 or the connecting link 11 «that at the front end of the elongated tube 3 is provided to facilitate. Each of the diametrically opposed raised portions of the segments 10 as well as the diametrically opposed parts of the segments 10 'are provided with an 11 which has two limbs 11a and 11b. As best seen in FIG can be, if the leg 11a is bent from the surface of the wall of the segment near the outside, what about it with the outside Surface of the adjacent segment is in contact, while the sole handle is bent radially near the inside, so that it conforms to the inner surface of the adjacent segment, duroh engagement of the oabel 11 at the end edge

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t J- χ S

of a segment with the associated fork 11 in the opposite end edge of the adjacent segment, the two adjacent segments 10 and 10 'are pivotably coupled. the Tubing assembly thus constructed can be bent as desired because of the rotatable engagement of the forks 11 resting against one another.

The inner diameter of the pipe arrangement is in this case a maximum, since it is not necessary to provide any Anlenkmlttel or similar pivot pin for the pivotal connection of the segments.

To avoid the interrelated Forks 11 come out of engagement, it is sufficient to cover the pipe arrangement with a soft flexible tube 12, which in closer Contact with the assembled tube assembly and the relative movement of the end segments is related to the soft flexible tube 12 prevents during the bending movement of the assembled pipe arrangement together with which fle- ' xible tube 12 is possible. As shown, one of the End segments 10 * of the assembled tube connected to the rear end of the front end part 2 of the endoscope, while the other of the segments 10 * is connected to the connecting member 11. The front end of the soft flexible tube 12 1st waterproof with the rear end of the front end part 2

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. - 12 -

connected, while the rear end of the tube 12 is waterproof is connected to the connecting member 11, so that the entire arrangement is arranged in a watertight manner in the endoscope.

To safely prevent the engaged forks 11 disengaged, two flexible but inextensible cables can be provided, which on diametrically opposed sides in the pipe assembly along the lines that go through the axially arranged row of forks, run. '

In each of the segments 10, 10 *, at the points where the cable 13 passes , depressions 10a are provided, which are made by press cutting and have openings at the pressed edges. The cable 13 ends a short distance after it has passed through the recess 10 in each of the end segments 10 '. The cable 13 is there connected to the segment 10 'at the points indicated by 13a and 13b, for example by soldering, so that the pipe arrangement is prevented from falling apart while the pipe arrangement can be bent.

To control the bending of the tube assembly, extend two control cables 7a and 7b length of the pipe arrangement, the front ends 7a 'and 7b * with the rear end of the front end part 2 are firmly connected »The control cables 7a

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and 7b are on opposite sides of the tube assembly arranged. Their connecting line runs normal to the connecting line of the diametrically opposed forks 11 each edge of the segments 10. To prevent the control cables 7a and 7b from being longitudinal with respect to the segments 10 and 10 ' of the circumference are shifted, there are axially extending depressions 10b in the segments 10 and 10 *, the be formed for example by pressing in the segments at these points.

The rear end of each of the control cables 7a and 7b extends SiOh through the elongated tube 3 to the control housing 4 and is connected to a control mechanism arranged therein. As described above, the Control cables 7a and 7b can be operated manually with the help of button 8, so that one of the cables is tensioned while the other is resolved.

To ensure the operation of the control cables 7a and 7b, are tightly knitted, non-contractible, spiral tubes l4a and l4b are provided, which extend through the elongated tube 3 from the control housing 4 to the rear end of the Extend tube assembly 1. The control cables 7a and 7b are guided by associated spiral tubes 14a and 14b. This ensures that the movement of the control cables 7a, 7b,

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as they are by the control mechanism at the rear ends of the spiral tubes 14a and 14b, regardless of the bend of the elongated tube 3 is exactly transferred to the front ends of the control cables 7a and 7b.

Therefore, by alternately actuating the control cables 7a and 7b, the pipe arrangement 1 can be bent in the direction » - In which there is a tensioned control cable.

The invention is based on a preferred one above AusfUhrungsbeispiels has been described. However, it is clear that one end edge of segment 10 is normal to its axis can be made flat instead of two diametrically opposed raised parts, if the opposite one The end edge of the adjacent segment is provided with an opposite raised part »

P The depressions 10a as well as the depressions 10b can also be formed in the opposite directions as shown, to properly route cables 13 or 7a and 7b.

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Claims (1)

Patent claims 1) Flexible tube arrangement, especially for use in an endoscope «consisting of a number of thin-walled cylindrical segments of approximately the same diameter, in which the end edges are beveled so that at least one protruding part is present, and which are arranged in series one behind the other -are characterized that the protruding part is fork-shaped (11), one leg of the fork (11a) being bent radially outward and the other leg (Hb) radially close to the inside, so that the legs of one segment on the outer or Make contact with the inner surface of the adjacent segment.
■■■ ■ ■ · 2) flexible pipe arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that each segment (10) at each edge with two diametrically opposed Oabeln (11) is provided and the forks (11) of the segments (10) are aligned with one another. 3) Flexible pipe arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, daduroh characterized in that the Oabeln (H) of adjacent segments (10) are in engagement with one another and that holding means (12) are provided which allow the single segment · prevent. 909829/1177 ./. ■ _ßAD original 4) Flexible pipe arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a flexible tube as a holding means (12) is provided which tightly fits the flexible tube assembly surrounds * 5) Flexible pipe arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, daduroh characterized in that the holding means continue to have two fle ~ * have flexible, non-stretchable cables (13) which extend axially along the forks (11) of the segments (10) arranged in a row and are preferably attached to the end segments (IQ ¹ ) on both sides (12a, 13b). 6) Flexible pipe arrangement according to one of the preceding claims * characterized »dafl control cables (7a, 7b) . are present that extend the axial length of the flexible tube assembly on diametrically opposite sides of the same and the connecting line of which is perpendicular to the w of the forks, hobei each end (7a ¹ , 7b ¹ ) of the control cables (7a, 7b) is attached at one point , which is close to one of the end segments · (10 ⁹ ), while the other end · of the control cable extends beyond the other end segment (10 *) so that it can be operated from outside the flexible pipe arrangement. P 185 · ./. 909829/1177 BATH ORIGINAL ■ 7) Flexible pipe arrangement according to claims 5 and / or 6, characterized in that means are provided which prevent the flexible but inextensible cables (7a, 7bj 15) with respect to the segments (10, 10 ') on their Scope are movable. 8) Flexible pipe arrangement according to Claim 7 # "characterized in that that the means for preventing the shifting of the cables (IJ) as press-cut depressions (10a) are formed extending into the wall of each segment (10) and which have openings at the press cut edges through which the cables (13) pass. 9) flexible pipe arrangement according to claim 7p daduroh characterized, that 'the means for preventing the displacement of the cables (7a; 7b) axially extending sioh, impressed Grooves (! Ob) are formed by indenting the wall of each "of the segments (10) in which the Cable (7a, 7b) extends. 90.98 2 9/1177 -AS- blank page